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Petr Brandejs Band - Bound To Ride
(from Bluegrass Unlimited 11/98)
Recently, there has been an explosion of bluegrass music emanating from the Czech Republic. Groups like Robert Krestan's Druha trava are thrilling audiences with their own charismatic stylings and arrangements. One current group is the Petr Brandejs Band, and their latest CD, "Bound to Ride," presents a total of 15 selections including favorites like "Close By" and "Freight Train Boogie." The band consists of Petr on banjo, Honza Maca (mandolin), Zdenek Roh (guitar), Svata Stepankova (bass) and Pepa Malina (fiddle). Maca, Roh and Stepankova share the lead vocals and the various harmony parts. There is an especially delightful interpretation of Mac Wiseman's "I Saw Your Face In The Moon" along with several impressive originals including "Thinking Of You," "Keep Me On Your Mind" and "Sit Down Please." One particular standout is the Ivo Drbohlav bluesy composition "Hungry Blues" performed by Zdenek Roh. Petr offers his own rousing instrumental, "Hopsa Hejsa." The proceedings climax with an eerie interpretation of "Nobody Loves Me," which attempts to recreate the aura of the Bill Monroe classic 1945 recording. "Bound To Ride" is a captivating musical excursion guaranteed to delight listeners and will assuredly enhance the reputation of the Petr Brandejs Band.
Les McIntyre
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